AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; AMENDING THE HEALTH SERVICE CORPS ACT TO INCLUDE DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS; AUTHORIZING INCREASED RECRUITMENT OF VARIOUS HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 24-1D-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1994, Chapter 63, Section 2) is amended to read:

"24-1D-2. DEFINITIONS.‑‑As used in the Health Service Corps Act:

A. "corps" means the New Mexico health service corps;

B. "department" means the department of health;

C. "health professional" means a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, nurse‑midwife, emergency medical technician‑paramedic, dentist or dental hygienist;

D. "physician" means a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine;

E. "physician assistant" means a physician assistant or osteopathic physician assistant; and

F. "practice site" means a public health clinic or public or private nonprofit primary care clinic that is located in a state‑designated medically underserved area or that serves a high‑needs population and that uses a sliding fee scale approved by the department."